Why even bother with the cheap stuff? That shallow pan sounds like a nightmare, lol. Just get a decent deep one and save yourself the hassle.

Margaret99, have you actually tried cleaning a crock or are you just assuming it's harder?

Heat trick works a treat on stubborn laminate too.

Yeah, it can feel like that sometimes. I've put so much into things that just... went nowhere. You give and give and it's just gone.

Heard about a mate who propped his up with kiln posts and a spare tile. Got the job done.